10 – System Optimisation

Implementation is in many ways just the beginning. Often only a subset of benefits can be fully realised during the initial implementation period. This leaves much room for future improvement. Optimisation, through system iteration and developments, should be a constant feature of the implementation strategy to utilise the full potential of a system in the long-run and to take advantage of new technology and functionality that emerge along the way. On-going optimisation activities can include:

Monitoring and evaluation of progress over time to assess whether anticipated benefits and returns on investment have been realised and are seen by end-users and patients. The evaluation strategy should acknowledge that, due to continuous and iterative development, different benefits can be realised at different moments in time. Potential techniques in this respect include data quality monitoring, critical incidence reports, analytics, clinical audit, periodic reviews of progress, and assessment of changing requirements.